Five state officials take oath of office

Five state officials were sworn into office this morning as family and friends crowed into the Iowa Supreme Court’s chamber to watch.

Three of the state officials have held their jobs before, but State Ag Secretary Bill Northey and Secretary of State Michael Mauro were taking the oath for the first time.

Mauro, a Democrat, says a lot was running through his mind this morning. “Starting off almost 15 months ago, running for this office and how honored I am,” Mauro says. “What a beautiful building this is and what a great day it is and thanking God for the opportunity to do this. I’m very thankful.”

Northey, a Republican, was equally reflective. “You spend a lot of time to get to this point and I’m not sure it’s easy to describe,” Northey says. “(There’s) a sense of responsibility to do the right thing, but a sense of great appreciation for so many people over the last 18 months (who( have been so helpful and encouraging.”

Two Democrats — State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald and Attorney General Tom Miller — are starting their seventh terms. Miller says despite the years, it’s still thrilling to take the oath of office. “It’s great. It’s such a great office. I feel very thankful that Iowans have given me another chance to do it,” Miller says. “To be sworn in with four wonderful colleagues is also wonderful.”

The fifth office-holder to take the oath of office today was Republican State Auditor Dave Vaudt, who promised the crowd just after he took the oath that he would remain the “taxpayer’s watchdog.”

Iowa’s next governor, Chet Culver, will take the oath of office on Friday, January 12.